Altenkirchen (kreis)

This page is part of the German heraldry portal Deutsche Wappensammlung	Heraldry of the World
German heraldry: National arms Arms of States Arms of historical territories and states Districts (Kreiswappen) Cities and municipalities German Colonies Ecclesiastical heraldry Military heraldry Corporate heraldry Studentika Other civic heraldry Total pages in the German section : 61,365 Of which images : 41,278	Selected collector's items from Germany: Heraldic postcards Heraldic stamps Heraldic albums Kaffee Hag albums Wappen-Sammlung Heraldic trade cards Arms, Flags and Types of Nations Heraldic coasters Heraldic cigar bands Heraldic artists Otto Hupp Münchener Kalender German heraldic literature

ALTENKIRCHEN (AK)

State : Rheinland-Pfalz

Wappen von Altenkirchen (kreis)/Arms (crest) of Altenkirchen (kreis)

Official blazon
German	Gespalten durch eine eingebogene silberne Spitze, darin ein durchgehendes, von Schwarz und Rot geschliffenes Kreuz, vorne in Rot ein doppelschweifiger, herschauender, blau bewehrter goldener Löwe, hinten in Gold ein aufrechter schwarzer Maueranker.
English	(kreis) No blazon/translation known. Please click here to send your (heraldic !) blazon or translation

Origin/meaning

The arms were granted on December 11, 1967.

The arms combine symbols of the former territories in the district. The lion is taken from the arms of the Counts of Sayn, who ruled a large part of the Eastern part of the district. The wolf-iron is taken from the arms of the Counts (later Princes) of Hatzefeld, who ruled the area around Wildenburg. The cross in the lower part symbolises the cross of the State of Köln. The colours of the cross symbolise the forestry (red wood) and the basalt industry (black basalt) in the district.

Previously the district used the arms as shown below. The upper half is identical, but the base showed three pine trees above some basalt columns. These symbols represent the importance of forestry and the basalt quarries in the region.